Michael McGrath
Spring Lake,NJ
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at numerous CPG Food Companies both large and small. Adept in corporate startups with new market penetration and positioning focusing on high quality great tasting products. Spearheaded the launch of new products across many categories over a 40 year career. Excelled in mergers & acquisitions while significantly boosting productivity and market presence. Incorporated charity support through innovative business models.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Wholesome Crave, LLC
03.2019 - 12.2023
- Company Overview: While working at Newman’s Own, I helped develop the concept of Wholesome Crave soups with Michel Nischan, using the Newman’s Own model of creating a business that supports Wholesome Wave, a 501(c)(3) charity,whose mission is to end food and nutrition insecurity.
- Food business start-up experience and larger company CEO background provided a unique set of skills for the early days of Wholesome Crave and the longer-term vision to build it into a viable business and significant supporter of Wholesome Wave.
Chief Executive Officer
Newman’s Own, Inc.
01.2014 - 03.2019
- As Chief Executive Officer, managed the Newman’s Own food and beverage business in the U.S. and internationally. There are more than 300 items in the product line of great-tasting, high-quality, and organic foods, including salad dressings, pasta sauces, frozen pizza, salsa, frozen skillet meals, refrigerated lemonades, cookies, snacks, and pet food. Annual brand revenue: +$300 million.
- Responsible for new product development and market expansion through brand licensing.
- Joined Newman's Own, Inc. Board of Directors in 2012.
- Joined Newman’s Own, Inc. in 2013 to manage all the intellectual properties and licenses for the food and beverage business before being named CEO in 2014
President
Venture Cuisine, LLC
07.2011 - 12.2013
- Provided new product development and business startup expertise for food-focused CPG companies.
- Instrumental in the early success of the Red's All Natural and KidFresh brands.
President Wolfgang Puck Licensing
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide Inc.
09.2008 - 01.2011
- Worked closely with Wolfgang Puck to grow his brand with existing licensees and to expand into new categories.
President and CEO
Country Gourmet Foods, LLC
Pittsburgh, PA
01.1997 - 06.2008
- Licensed Wolfgang Puck's name to successfully create a CPG startup with a canned soup product line. Achieved $50 million in revenue with both clean label and organic products. Sold to Campbell Soup in 2008.
President and CEO
Weight Watchers/ Div of Heinz
Pittsburgh, PA
04.1993 - 12.1996
- Turned around a significant loss to a positive EBITDA in the first year.
- Acquired All American Gourmet Food Co from Kraft Foods Co and integrated it into the Weight Watchers Gourmet Food Co.
Co-Founder
All American Gourmet/Kraft Foods
03.1983 - 02.1993
- Co-founder of the Budget Gourmet frozen entrees.
- Participated in the IPO of All American Gourmet in 1985 and then sold to Kraft Foods in 1987.
- I worked for Kraft as the VP of Marketing for All American Gourmet, and General Manager of the Birds Eye brand.
Education
MBA - Marketing/Finance
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA09-1979
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Accounting
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT06-1976
Skills
- New market penetration
- Productivity performance
- Market strategies
- Budgeting and cost control
- Financial administration
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Cash management
- New product development and expansion
- Intellectual property management
- Operations management
- Innovation management
- Business start up
- Brand licensing
Volunteer Experience
- SeriousFun Children’s Network, Advisory Board Member
- Previous Board of Directors Member of the Barretstown SeriousFun Camp in Ireland, The Irish Arts Center and The American Ireland Fund.
Personal Details
Married (Peggy), 3 children Avid Golfer.
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Wholesome Crave, LLC
03.2019 - 12.2023
Chief Executive Officer
Newman’s Own, Inc.
01.2014 - 03.2019
President
Venture Cuisine, LLC
07.2011 - 12.2013
President Wolfgang Puck Licensing
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide Inc.
09.2008 - 01.2011
President and CEO
Country Gourmet Foods, LLC
01.1997 - 06.2008
President and CEO
Weight Watchers/ Div of Heinz
04.1993 - 12.1996
Co-Founder
All American Gourmet/Kraft Foods
03.1983 - 02.1993
MBA - Marketing/Finance
Lehigh University
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Accounting
Central Connecticut State University
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